THE RAINBOW PROMISE
A Journey to Forgiveness (THC January Week 4 Writing Challenge)
11/16/2019 - Photo - A Rainbow Before the Journey
Some moments in life leave an imprint so deep that they take years to fully process. My experience at my parents’ grave site in 2019 was one of those moments. It was a turning point, a divine encounter with God, and a lesson in forgiveness that changed me forever.
I have written about that day before. When I first started my blog in June 2022, I shared my journey of letting go of resentment and bitterness—emotions that had shaped my life more than I realized. I had carried them silently, holding onto past hurts that had settled deep within me. But one thing I had never been able to do—until now—was put this experience into a poem.
For some reason, poetry eluded me when it came to this moment. I couldn’t quite translate the depth of what happened that day into verse. It was as if the weight of it was too great to fit within the structure of a poem. But as I sat with it again, revisiting the emotions and the significance of that day, something changed. The words finally came.
As part of the Time Has Come Week 4 January Writing Challenge, I was invited to reflect on spiritual strength and write a poem about overcoming a personal challenge. It was in this moment that The Rainbow’s Promise was born. Though I had written about this experience before, I had never shared it in poetic form—until now.
The road stretched out, heavy with the weight of years,
A path of bitterness carved by unspoken tears.
I carried their echoes, the pain, the blame,
Each step a question, each breath the same.
Yet, in the distance, the sky painted its hue,
A ribbon of promise in colors so true.
God’s promise whispered through the gentle arc,
A light in the storm, a flame in the dark.
At the grave, silence spoke louder than words,
I knelt with my burdens, my cries unheard.
Years of resentment, the chains I had worn,
Now laid at His feet, tattered and torn.
“I can’t tell you why,” came a voice deep within,
“But this pain you carry, it’s time to begin.
Let it go, my child, let if fall like rain,
Forgiveness will cleanse every scar, every stain.”
Inner peace consumed me, His grace ever near,
His love enveloped me, dissolved every fear.
“You’re not alone,” His voice softly said,
“I’ve waited to heal the heart that has bled.”
As I journeyed home, clouds began to part,
A second rainbow appeared, a promise to my heart.
“Go now, my child, for the weight is released,
Walk lighter, walk freer, in My eternal peace.”
What I witnessed was paved in hues so bright,
Every color a testament to His guiding light.
Bitterness faded, the chains fell away,
Joy filled the void where resentment once lay.
Now I live in the truth of His amazing grace,
Each step a reflection of His radiant face.
For the rainbow remains, a promise Devine,
A covenant of His love, forever mine.
A Rainbow Before the Journey
That November day in 2019, I set out on a drive toward my parents’ grave, carrying years of unresolved pain. I had held onto resentment, bitterness, and the weight of unspoken grief. I didn’t know exactly what I was seeking; I only knew something had to change.
But before I even arrived, God gave me a sign.
As I drove, a rainbow appeared in the direction I was heading. It stretched across the sky, vibrant and unmistakable. I knew in my spirit that it was a message, a reminder of His covenant and His faithfulness. I didn’t yet know what was about to take place in my heart, but I knew He was with me.
Laying It Down at His Feet
Standing at the grave site, silence surrounded me, but inside, emotions swirled. Years of carrying pain that had never fully healed, years of holding onto memories that still had a grip on my heart—it all surfaced in that moment.
And then, in that quiet place, I heard a whisper deep within:
"Let it go, my child. Let it fall like the rain."
I knew it was time.
The pain, the expectations, the years of wrestling with emotions I couldn’t quite name—I laid them before Him. And as I did, I felt something shift. A weight lifted. A peace settled in.
11/16/2019 - Photo - A Rainbow on the Way Home
As I left the cemetery, I felt lighter, though I didn’t yet have the words to describe what had happened. But when I neared my home, something miraculous happened; a second rainbow appeared, right as I drove into my subdivision.
It was as if God was sealing the moment, reminding me that He had been with me in the pain, in the surrender, and in the healing.
The chains of resentment and bitterness had begun to fall away, and in their place, God’s grace filled every empty space.
The Words Finally Came
For years, I carried this story in my heart. I had written about it, spoken about it, and reflected on it. But poetry—the language that so often captures the deepest parts of my soul—had never come for this moment.
Until now.
Participating in the Time Has Come January Writing Challenge pushed me to revisit this moment in a new way. The challenge focused on spiritual strength, and as I looked back on my journey, I realized that this moment at the grave site was where my own spiritual strength began to take root. God had been writing this story on my heart for years, but now, I finally found the words to share it.
The Rainbow’s Promise is more than just a poem. It is a testament to God’s faithfulness, His ability to heal, and His covenant that never fails.
Living in the Promise
If you are carrying something heavy today—if resentment, regret, or past wounds are weighing on your heart—I want you to know that God is waiting to meet you in that place. He is ready to lift the weight from your shoulders, to heal what has been broken, and to lead you into a life of freedom and grace.
Forgiveness is not about excusing the past—it’s about surrendering it. It’s about trusting God to redeem what was lost and restore what was broken. And when we take that step, we find that He has already placed rainbows along the path, reminding us that His love never fails.
I hope this poem, this journey, and this testimony encourage you. Because the rainbow remains—a promise divine, a covenant of love, forever mine.
Reflection & Invitation
Have you ever had a moment where God asked you to release something heavy?
What was it like for you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments or in a message.
Let’s encourage one another on this journey of faith and freedom.
This song, Almost Home, from MercyMe was popular at the time - It spoke to my heart then as much as it does now.
Anne
Thank You This is so beautiful and relatable. The hold of buried unforgiveness is powerful. Your poem is the perfect invitation to deliberately search one's heart.
Thank you
Your poem beautifully describes the emotions and God's presence in that day. Rainbows in scripture have such a powerful significance... God's presence, guidance and hope.